Constructing Singlet Oxygen "Slow Release" Platform to Optimize the Performance of Commercial Photosensitizers.

Commercial photosensitizers (PSs) present great potential in the field of clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT) yet face a formidable challenge owing to the extremely short lifespan of singlet oxygen (1O2). Herein, the 1O2 slow‐release "platform" is proposed based on an anthracene‐groups functionalized D‐π‐A system (AIC), which can capture and slowly release 1O2 produced by commercial PSs. Meanwhile, the reversible chemical process between AIC and 1O2 is demonstrated by a series of optical experiments and high‐resolution mass spectrum. Remarkably, by virtue of 1O2 slow‐release "platform", the sustaining mitochondrial autophagy and cell apoptosis still take place when the laser is cut off with a short period of irradiation, reducing the side effect of sustained irradiation. In general, the construction of 1O2 slow‐release platform opens up exciting opportunities for improving the PDT effect of commercial PSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]